Dualla Show 2018 was another great success!

Despite overnight rainfall and dull and misty morning conditions, thousands once again made the trip to the beautiful setting of Ballyowen House to enjoy the broad range of events and entertainment on offer.

Children attending the show were delighted to be greeted at the main entrance by a giant “Hay Bear” while the Cashel Brass Band played with their usual aplomb to signal the start of a fun-filled day.

This year’s livestock event saw the conclusion of the Munster Aberdeen-Angus Club bull and heifer calf competitions. The very substantial sponsorship by Barrett Agri and Southern Fuel & Farm Supplies Ltd. attracted a quality line-up of calves for the finals and master judge for the day, Michael Smith of Co. Cavan faced some difficult decisions in several of the classes. Ultimately the Junior Bull of the Year title was awarded to Albert & Jennifer DeCogan of Mogeely Aberdeen-Angus herd, Castlemartyr, Co. Cork. The Mogeely Aberdeen-Angus herd also collected the Munster Junior Female of the Year. A competitive offering of senior stock were also on show at Dualla; and it was from the senior section that judge Michael Smith found his overall breed champion and once again it was Albert & Jennifer DeCogan who picked up the prize – ensuring that the Mogeely Aberdeen-Angus herd secured all three of the day’s top prizes. In the sheep section,  David Condon ran out breeder champion with Charlie Boland champion reserve. Champion)

Awareness around farm safety has never been more to the fore and this year the livestock event hosted a number of interactive farm-related demonstrations and talks compered by Mary Newman Julian to highlight the daily risks associated with working in agriculture. Jim Dockery of FRS demonstrated quad bike safety while Peter Gohery of Embrace Farm highlighted the dangers of PTOs. Teagasc’s John O’Connor showed how to handle the loading and unloading of livestock while George Graham will give a talk on the importance of mental health awareness.

Perfect ground conditions despite the overnight rain set up a superb showjumping event. It was all action in the Red Mills Grand Prix 2018 where Francis Connors just pipped Tholm Keane by .2 of a second with an entertaining gallop to the last. David Rayburne was fifth while local rider Jack Ryan was sixth. The winner of the 120 class sponsored by Super Valu Cashel was Patrick Joyce.

The Tipperary Truck Show had 536 lorries, its biggest attendance to date. Truck Show organizer Daire Maher said they were “overwhelmed by the turnout of lorries and that they can not thank enough everyone who attended the show from near and far with their lorries and made it our best show to date. The weather did its best to disrupt the fun but failed. A massive thanks to all the lads who helped over the weekend and to all our sponsors, especially our main sponsor TRP for all their help”. The TRP Truck of the Show went to Brendan Wood’s Johnny Cash Scania.

In the popular dog show, Willy O’Meara from Fethard with “Rodge” was Best in Show. Best puppy in show was Kathleen Palton from urlingford with “Teddy”, a Bernese mountain dog. Best hound was Jenny O’Mara with Yeats with her wonderful Irish Wolfhound “Yeats”. Best young handler of the Year was Grace Kennedy with “Bailey” Cavalier King Charles/Bichon Frise cross. Dawn Fitzgerald from Urlingford won the Chairman’s choice with “Baby Bear”.

The Tractor Pulling attracted the usual large attendance. In the end the winner of the modified class was Keith Leavy all the way from Co. Longford driving “Pure Mule”.

In the main marquee, Sinead Delahunty delighted the crowds with her healthy food demonstrations using locally sourced produce and surprise prizes throughout the day.

Thanks to an improved ticketing system there were less queues for the free circus which enthralled young and old with their hour long shows that ran through the afternoon with fabulous acrobatic performances, tricks and even performing geese.

Chairman Michael D’Arcy wishes to thank everyone both inside and outside the community for the massive voluntary effort involved to make the event a smooth running success. Mr. D’Arcy also mentioned special thanks to landowners PJ Maher, Richard O’Dwyer and John Magnier for their continued support.

Keep an eye on www.duallashow.ie/photos for plenty more photos to come.